Combines familiar picture-book tropes into something clever and new.
Dealing with a little brother is a huge distraction from being a superhero, but it may also be just the job for a young masked avenger.
With a bit of the cause-and-effect feel of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, this book describes the thankless task a young superhero takes on when her dad asks her to babysit. The unnamed characters spend the day dealing with messes and grabs for attention, culminating in a near meltdown (from the hero, who longs to shout, “I WISH YOU WEREN’T MY BROTHER!”). But it ends with the younger child’s offer of a favorite teddy bear and a hug, and the hero’s embrace of the idea that “MAYBE little brothers aren’t so bad after all.” It’s well-worn territory: the ubiquity of superhero entertainment, the writing style, and the lesson. But the elements jell well, and the illustrations strike a fresh balance, featuring aged photos, bygone wallpaper backgrounds, and restrained use of comic-book–style panels. The stakes are real-life pint-sized, not stretched to fantastical proportions, making the unnamed superhero’s journey all the more accessible. Any caregiver who has witnessed siblings start World War III over a hairbrush will appreciate this caped crusade, which effectively makes the case that putting aside sibling rivalry is a job big enough for a superhero. Dad and kids all have light-brown skin, theirs lighter than his.
Combines familiar picture-book tropes into something clever and new. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: June 2, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5064-5876-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Beaming Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2020
This warm family story is a splendid showcase for the combined talents of Medina, a Pura Belpré award winner, and Dominguez,...
Abuela is coming to stay with Mia and her parents. But how will they communicate if Mia speaks little Spanish and Abuela, little English? Could it be that a parrot named Mango is the solution?
The measured, evocative text describes how Mia’s español is not good enough to tell Abuela the things a grandmother should know. And Abuela’s English is too poquito to tell Mia all the stories a granddaughter wants to hear. Mia sets out to teach her Abuela English. A red feather Abuela has brought with her to remind her of a wild parrot that roosted in her mango trees back home gives Mia an idea. She and her mother buy a parrot they name Mango. And as Abuela and Mia teach Mango, and each other, to speak both Spanish and English, their “mouths [fill] with things to say.” The accompanying illustrations are charmingly executed in ink, gouache, and marker, “with a sprinkling of digital magic.” They depict a cheery urban neighborhood and a comfortable, small apartment. Readers from multigenerational immigrant families will recognize the all-too-familiar language barrier. They will also cheer for the warm and loving relationship between Abuela and Mia, which is evident in both text and illustrations even as the characters struggle to understand each other. A Spanish-language edition, Mango, Abuela, y yo, gracefully translated by Teresa Mlawer, publishes simultaneously.
This warm family story is a splendid showcase for the combined talents of Medina, a Pura Belpré award winner, and Dominguez, an honoree. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6900-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: April 14, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
